Israeli Special Forces Training Deemed Unsafe, Going Through Changes

The Israeli Defense Forces have been looking at the way their military trains their various Special Forces units and after several incidents will revamp their training. The Israelis have several different units with very different missions but they’ve had a spate of accidents lately in their training of their candidates and they created an investigative […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 4

Shoulders and back day in the gym before heading off to do the SOF (Special Operations Forces) Triathlon. A 3-mile run, a 3-mile rucksack march, and a 300-meter swim with fatigues and boots. Aim to go as fast as you can in each event. Get used to swimming with fatigues and boots. It is much […]

US Keeping “All Options” Open in Venezuela, Blasts Chinese, Russian Influence

The prospects for the removal of Venezuelan embattled President Nicolás Maduro peacefully are growing bleaker by the day. The United States has been putting plans in place for the Pentagon to undermine the growing influence of Chinese, Russian and Cuban militaries with the Maduro regime, short of an invasion. The Joint Staff and the Southern […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 3

Tuesday is our favorite Leg Day at the gym, but we’ll begin with pull-ups, squats, and lunges to build up the strength in your lower body. That builds the muscles necessary for carrying a rucksack, which is the bread and butter of SOF. Then a four-mile run in 32 minutes or less which is the […]

Remembering Adm. John Thach, Naval Aviator, Died on This Day 1981

In the annals of Naval Aviation for the U.S. Navy, one of the pioneers for combat tactics was John “Jimmy” Thach who, during World War II not only came up with one successful tactic but two. He was credited with the “Thatch Weave” where U.S. fighters could successfully counter the better maneuverability and climbing ability […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 2

Some good pretest work for the Upper Body Round Robin (UBRR) with many of the exercises that will be tested. Always go for perfect form when doing the pushups, it will be an area that is always looked at hard during the PT tests in Selection. After the exercises, a three-mile run, the standard is […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 1

It is time for our Sunday morning ruck march. We’ll do a six-mile course today over varied terrain, aim for a time better than the standard of 90 minutes. Do a quick warmup of pushups and sit-ups before heading out. Stretch well both before and after the ruck march. Remember to drink plenty of water […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 6, Day 7

Back to the gym on Saturday for some shoulders and back work. The towel pull-ups are for those who don’t have access to climbing ropes. We’ll finish off today by running some speed (sprints) work for cardio. Ensure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water, stay in the habit. Log your numbers down in […]

AFSOC Commando Awarded Silver Star For Danger Close Air Support Mission

An AFSOC combat controller was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his bravery during a raid with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan in 2018. Tech Sgt Cam Kelsch, of the 17th Special Tactics Squadron, Hunter Army Airfield, was honored on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 6, Day 6

Friday morning at the gym means that it is Leg Day our favorite day of the week. Start off with some Squats – front, dumbbell goblet, and barbell. After the weighted sled push, and some lunges mixed in there as well, we’ll finish off with a 4-mile run. The leg training is very important as […]

MARSOC Needs To Stay, Says Next Marine Corps Commandant

Just a couple of months ago, the Marine Corps’ Special Operations Command (MARSOC) celebrated its 13th anniversary. Then a think tank pushed an idea that the Marines would be better off, disestablishing the Marine SOF and return to their roots which is their forced amphibious capability. But now the next commandant of the Marine Corps […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 6, Day 5

Back to the gym on Thursday morning for a Chest and triceps workout to include some pushups, sit-ups. Then a 5-mile ruck march with 45-pounds minimum. After some cold, wet mornings around here, the weather is supposed to warm up a bit but still dress accordingly and despite the cold, remember to hydrate.  And mark […]